Hilda Jane Jaussaud

Hilda Jane Opp Jaussaud, 100, passed away peacefully on Monday, Sept. 14, 2015, at Park Manor Rehabilitation Center, where she had lived for three years.

She was born at home, in a sod house, on Jan. 10, 1915, in Hazelton, N.D. Her parents, Simon and Rosina Mittleider Opp were immigrant Germans from Odessa, Russia. Hilda was the 10th child of 13. She attended a country school near Hazleton through the eighth grade and then high school at Sheyenne River Academy in Harvey, N.D. Hilda came to Walla Walla in 1936, with her older brother August, his wife Ida, and Hilda’s younger brother Milbert. She had intentions of attending Walla Walla College but didn’t have enough money so she worked as a waitress and did domestic work for various local families. She and other women who had come from North Dakota were in great demand as housekeepers and cooks because of their strong work ethic and excellent culinary skills.

It was while working as a cook on the Jaussaud sheep ranch, near Palouse Falls and Washtucna, Wash., that she met Arthur J. Jaussaud. They were married June 6, 1939 in Lewiston, Idaho. Arthur died in 2000.

They were married 61 years. Hilda enjoyed cooking, gardening, sewing, knitting, crocheting, and helping at the Village Church, where she had been a member for 48 years. She was a talented seamstress who, at one time, taught sewing at the local Singer Sewing Center. She also sewed for the Dress A Living Doll program at the Salvation Army for approximately 5 years. One year she made 62 pairs of boy pajamas!

Mrs. Jaussaud was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur Jaussaud; four sisters, Rose, Anna, Pauline, and Ruby; and eight brothers, Simon, Jr., Edward, Rudolf, August, Theodore, Milbert, Albert, and Harold. She is survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to SonBridge Community Services, Blue Mountain TV, or a charity of the donor’s choice through the funeral home. Visitation and viewing will be Monday, Sept. 28, 2015, from 3 - 6 p.m. at Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder St., Walla Walla. The funeral will be Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2015, at 11 a.m. at the Village Church of Seventh day Adventists, 715 S. E. 12th St., College Place.  Burial will follow at Mountain View Cemetery.